Styrofoam Prints

Description

Reuse styrofoam veggie and meat trays and make your own print. Use a pencil to make a pattern, design or picture on the flat side of the styrofoam tray, add some paint and make some colorful prints

styrofoam print using a meat tray

Materials

  • Washed meat or vegetable trays. We found a four pack of tomatoes with a tray that had no markings on the bottom.
  • Tempera
  • Pencil (not too sharp)
  • Sponge Brush or Roller (brayer)
  • White Paper (Water Color paper or cardstock works well)
  • Frame or Construction paper to mount on.
  • White Scratch Paper to test
  • Newspaper to work on.
  • Paper Towels
  • Paint tray or small flat containers (lids of plastic containers work well especially when using a roller)
materials for styrofoam printing

Steps

  • Draw with a pencil, trying not to puncture tray.
  • When your child is finished, go over the lines with a sharper pencil to add more definition if necessary.
  • Pour tempera paint into small dish or lid for roller. Roller produces smoothest results. You could probably use a regular paint brush as well but we didn't test it.
  • Roll or brush paint onto pattern. Turn tray over onto test paper and rub the back gently in all areas to ensure best print results while making sure the tray does not slide.
  • Do a couple test prints on scratch paper to see how much paint you need or if you need to deepen some of the lines.
  • Lift tray gently from paper making sure not to slide or drop tray.
  • Add more paint if needed and press onto your watercolor paper or cardstock.
  • Let dry. Frame or mount on construction paper.
Using a pencil to create a print on a styrofoam meat tray

Tips and Suggestions

  • Look at the bottom of the tray for ones that are unmarked.
  • Keep it about 5 x 5 for best results and easier printing.
  • Test a few to get the results desired. Deepen any lines necessary but try to keep it your child's work!
  • We used a brayer and a sponge brush. The brayer has a slightly smoother finish.
  • Keep in mind the picture will be backwards so words are not advised unless they are palindromes (words that can that can be read the same way in either direction) that have mirror image letters like m and o in mom
  • Patterns are the easiest but my animals can be made too.
  • This would make a simple, inexpensive party activity

Other Ideas

Patterns are the easiest but you can also make animals like this Cat!
Cat styrofoam print

Palindromes

There are a few words that will work such as MOM or WOW.